Honda HR-V Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Honda HR-V model year (2016–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Honda HR-V Years to Avoid
1 recall · 438 complaints
1 reported injury
Top issue: VISIBILITY/WIPER
Problem score: 443
5 recalls · 149 complaints
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 164
0 recalls · 143 complaints
9 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 161
Best Honda HR-V Years to Buy
0 recalls · 1 complaint
Main area: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Problem score: 1
0 recalls · 23 complaints
Main area: STEERING
Problem score: 25
3 recalls · 38 complaints
Main area: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 61
Found the right year? Verify that specific HR-V with a free VIN report.
Honda HR-V — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 1 | — | — | 1 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 0 | 23 | 1 | — | 25 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 1 | 70 | 9 | — | 91 | Good |
| 2023 | 1 | 438 | 1 | — | 443 | Avoid |
| 2022 | 3 | 63 | 2 | — | 76 | Good |
| 2021 | 3 | 38 | 7 | — | 61 | Good |
| 2020 | 4 | 54 | 2 | — | 70 | Good |
| 2019 | 5 | 149 | — | — | 164 | Caution |
| 2018 | 2 | 81 | 6 | — | 99 | Good |
| 2017 | 0 | 73 | 2 | — | 77 | Good |
| 2016 | 0 | 143 | 9 | — | 161 | Caution |
All 11 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Honda HR-V Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2026Recent HR-V models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2026 stands out with just 1 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2017Mid-decade HR-V units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2017 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year HR-V should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2023 Honda HR-V if possible. It has 1 recall, 438 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 443 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year HR-V to buy?+
The 2026 Honda HR-V is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 1. It has only 0 recalls and 1 complaint on record with NHTSA.
Which HR-V has the fewest problems?+
The 2026, 2025, 2021 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Honda HR-V Research
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Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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